Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Today in Soap Opera History (August 30)

1968: The Doctors' Mike returned home.
1991: Wayne Northrop returned to Days of our Lives as Roman.
2004: General Hospital debuted a new opening.
2010: ATWT's Bob revealed Nancy Hughes had passed away.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On The Doctors, Mike Powers (Peter Burnell in his debut) returned home, much to the delight of his father, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett).

1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) and Willie Loomis (John Karlen) went to the crypt where Tom Jennings (Donald Briscoe) kept his coffin, but when Barnabas opened the coffin, it was empty. Jennings arrived and tried to bite him.

1999: On As the World Turns, Hal and Barbara's wedding celebration is interrupted by news of Gary Rady's death.

2004:General Hospital debuted its new "Sirens" opening sequence, which famously featured Anthony Geary (Luke) walking out of the shot at the end.

2007: Heather Tom debuted as Katie Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful.

2009: The 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were held in Los Angeles, televised on The CW. Acting winners were Susan Haskell, Christian LeBlanc, Jeff Branson, Vincent Irizarry, Tamara Braun, Darin Brooks and Julie Marie Berman. The Bold and the Beautfiul was named Outstanding Drama Series, General Hospital won for Writing and One Life to Live was honored for Directing.

The clip below features the opening of the ceremony with host Vanessa Williams, who was edited into scenes with daytime stars including Ronn Moss, Anthony Geary and Jessica Leccia.

2010: On As the World Turns, Dr. Bob Hughes (Don Hastings) told the family that his mother, Nancy, had died. Helen Wagner played Nancy Hughes since the very first episode of ATWT and spoke the show's first line in 1956 ("Good morning, dear."). She passed away on May 1, 2010, less than two months before the show wrapped production. When the series ended its run on September 17, 2010, Hastings fittingly spoke the last line as her son, Bob ("Goodnight."), a role he had played since 1960.